Metered aerosol fragrance dispensing mechanism

Abstract

An apparatus and controlling circuitry for periodically operating an aerosol container in discrete dispensing intervals to disperse a discrete quantity of the contents thereof. The apparatus includes a powered mechanism for actuating the aerosol, with the circuitry controlling the powered mechanism for a predetermined number of actuations. An energizing means activates a warning mechanism when the actuation count reaches the predetermined number to thereby indicate the probable total evacuation of the aerosol container and the necessity for termination of the operation. The apparatus also includes means for setting the circuitry into a plurality of different operating modes, including a continuous intermittent operation, a controlled daytime operation, and a controlled night operation. The apparatus may be battery operated, and it then includes a second warning mechanism for indicating whether the battery power is sufficient to operate the powered mechanism.

We claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus and controlling circuitry for periodically operating an aerosol container at discrete dispensing intervals to disperse a discrete quantity of the aerosol contents thereof .Iadd.into the atmosphere as a spray.Iaddend., including powered means for periodically actuating an aerosol dispensing means of said container, said circuitry controlling said powered means .Iadd., .Iaddend..[.for a predetermined number of actuations, and first warning means for indicating the probable total evacuation of container contents and the necessity for termination of said dispensing operation when the actuation count reaches said predetermined number.]., and further including mode switching means for setting said circuitry into a plurality of different operating modes, said plurality of different operating modes comprising at least three modes, including a continuous intermittent operation, a controlled daytime operation .Iadd.responsive to the relative presence of ambient light.Iaddend., and a controlled night operation .Iadd.responsive to the relative absence of ambient light.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       2. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes internal power source means for activating said powered means periodically to dispense said aerosol, means for measuring the power of said internal power source means, and .[.second.]. warning means for indicating whether said measured power is sufficient to activate said powered means. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said continuous intermittent operation provides an unbroken series of intermittent disbursements of aerosol spray material from said aerosol dispensing means regardless of the presence or absence of ambient light surrounding said apparatus .[.until total evacuation of said container contents is reached.].. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes means for measuring the intensity of ambient light, and said controlled daytime operation mode .[.includes circuitry which.]. provides said periodic actuation of said aerosol dispensing means .Iadd.only .Iaddend.in the presence of ambient light having an intensity exceeding a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes an ambient light sensing means for measuring the intensity of ambient light, and said controlled night operation mode .[.includes circuitry which.]. provides .[.inactivation.]. .Iadd.said periodic actuation .Iaddend.of said aerosol dispensing means .Iadd.only .Iaddend.in the presence of ambient light having an intensity less than a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said powered means includes a motor operatively coupled to a power transmission unit for sending periodic power to a cam unit, .[.and a.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.cam unit operatively coupled to said power transmission unit for periodically engaging said dispensing means on said aerosol container for releasing the contents .[.in.]. .Iadd.of .Iaddend.said container at said discrete dispensing .[.internals.]. .Iadd.intervals.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said apparatus and controlling circuitry are contained within a rigid housing openable at the front, said housing having a front cover openably fastened in assembled relation to the lower end of said housing, said housing further including an upper cover containing a plurality of apertures for exposing light sensing means .[.and said warning means.].. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.26 .Iaddend.wherein said circuitry includes a reset switch for reactivating said first warning means when a dissipated aerosol container is replaced with a full container. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.26 .Iaddend.wherein said first warning means comprises a light emitting diode. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.26 .Iaddend.wherein said circuitry includes means for establishing a new predetermined number of actuations and termination of dispensing operation. 
     
     
       11. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 7 wherein said housing further includes a platform spaced from the top and bottom of said housing for supporting an aerosol container, and rib means integral within said housing for embracing and rigidly locating said aerosol container. 
     
     
       12. Apparatus for the type claimed in claim 11 wherein the upper interior of said housing includes said circuitry, a motor operatively coupled to a power transmission unit for sending periodic power to a cam unit, .[.and a.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.cam unit operatively coupled to said power transmission unit for periodically engaging said dispensing means on said aerosol container, and cavities within said housing containing battery devices for actuating said motor and said circuitry. 
     
     
       13. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said circuitry includes means for adjusting the time interval between periodic actuations of said aerosol dispensing means. 
     
     
       14. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 13 wherein the time interval can be adjusted between predetermined limits. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus and controlling circuitry for periodically operating an aerosol container at discrete dispensing intervals to disperse a discrete quantity of the aerosol contents thereof, including powered means for periodically actuating an aerosol dispensing means of said container, said circuitry controlling said powered means for a predetermined number of actuations and including means .Iadd.for .Iaddend.counting the actuations, and first energizing means coupled to first warning means for energizing said first warning means when the actuation count reaches said predetermined number to thereby indicate the probable total evacuation of container contents and the necessity for termination of said dispensing operation, and further including mode switching means for setting said circuitry into a plurality of different operating modes, said plurality of different operating modes comprising at least three modes, including a continuous intermittent operation, a controlled daytime operation, and a controlled night operation. 
     
     
       16. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 15 wherein said apparatus includes internal power source means for activating said powered means periodically to dispense said aerosol, means for measuring the power of said internal power source means, and second energizing means coupled to second warning means for energizing said second warning means to indicate whether said measured power is sufficient to activate said powered means. 
     
     
       17. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 15 wherein said continuous intermittent operation provides an unbroken series of intermittent disbursements of aerosol spray material from said aerosol dispensing means regardless of the presence or absence of ambient light surrounding said apparatus until total evacuation of said container contents is reached. 
     
     
       18. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 15 wherein said apparatus includes means for measuring the intensity of ambient light, and said controlled daytime operation mode .[.includes circuitry which.]. provides said periodic actuation of said aerosol dispensing means in the presence of ambient light having an intensity exceeding a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       19. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 15 wherein said apparatus includes an ambient light sensing means for measuring the intensity of ambient light, and said controlled night operation mode .[.includes circuitry which.]. provides inactivation of said aerosol dispensing means in the presence of ambient light having an intensity .[.less.]. .Iadd.greater .Iaddend.than a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       20. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 15 wherein said powered means includes a motor operatively coupled to a power transmission unit for sending periodic power to a cam unit, .[.and a.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.cam unit operatively coupled to said power transmission unit for periodically engaging said dispensing means on said aerosol container for releasing the contents in said container at said discrete dispensing .[.internals.]. .Iadd.intervals.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       21. An apparatus and controlling circuitry for periodically .[.operating.]. .Iadd.actuating .Iaddend.an aerosol container at discrete dispensing intervals to disperse a discrete quantity of the aerosol contents thereof .Iadd.into the air.Iaddend., .Iadd.said apparatus .Iaddend.including powered means for periodically actuating an aerosol dispensing means of said container, said circuitry including means .Iadd.for .Iaddend.counting the actuations of said powered means for a predetermined number of actuations, and first energizing means coupled to first warning means for energizing said first warning means when the actuation count reaches said predetermined number to thereby indicate the probable total evacuation of container contents and the necessity for termination of said dispensing operation, and further including mode switching means for setting said circuitry into a plurality of different operating modes, said plurality of different operating modes comprising at least three modes, including a continuous intermittent operation, a controlled daytime operation, and a controlled night operation. 
     
     
       22. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 21 wherein said apparatus includes internal power source means for activating said powered means periodically to dispense said aerosol, means for measuring the power of said internal power source means, and second energizing means coupled to second warning means for energizing said second warning means to indicate whether said measured power is sufficient to activate said powered means. 
     
     
       23. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 21 wherein said continuous intermittent operation provides an unbroken series of intermittent disbursements of aerosol spray material from said .[.aerosol dispensing means.]. .Iadd.container .Iaddend.regardless of the presence or absence of ambient light surrounding said apparatus until total evacuation of said container contents is reached. 
     
     
       24. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 21 wherein said apparatus includes means for measuring the intensity of ambient light, and said controlled daytime operation mode .[.includes circuitry which.]. provides said periodic actuation of said aerosol dispensing means .Iadd.only .Iaddend.in the presence of ambient light having an intensity exceeding a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       25. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 21 wherein said apparatus includes an ambient light sensing means for measuring the intensity of ambient light, and said controlled night operation mode .[.includes circuitry which.]. provides .[.inactivation.]. .Iadd.actuation .Iaddend.of said aerosol dispensing means .Iadd.only .Iaddend.in the presence of ambient light having an intensity less than a predetermined threshold. .Iadd. 
     
     
       26.  Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said controlling circuitry includes means for controlling said powered means for a predetermined number of actuations, and first warning means for indicating the probable total evacuations of container contents and the necessity for termination of said dispensing operation when the actuation count reaches said predetermined number. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said mode switching means includes a three-position switch which is accessible to the user of said apparatus. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 27 wherein said circuitry includes a timer for repeatedly activating said powered means in said three modes of operation and a photocell for providing a signal in response to the intensity of ambient light, and wherein said three-position switch is configured to change the response of said timer to said photocell signal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. An apparatus for introducing a chemical substance from a container into the environment surrounding the container, said apparatus comprising: powered means for evacuating the chemical substance from the container when activated, circuit means for measuring the intensity of ambient light and for controlling said powered means such that said powered means is actuated only at certain ambient light intensities and only at certain times, and mode switching means for setting said circuit means into a plurality of different operating modes, said plurality of different operating modes comprising at least three distinct modes, including a continuous operation mode, a controlled daytime operation mode, and a controlled nighttime operation mode. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 29 wherein said chemical substance is introduced into the surrounding atmosphere as a spray. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 29 wherein said apparatus is an odor control device, wherein said powered means is periodically activated in said three modes, and wherein said circuit means includes means for adjusting the waiting interval between periodic activations within the range of approximately 5 minutes to approximately 25 minutes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 29 wherein said continuous operation mode provides an unbroken series of periodic actuations of said powered means regardless of the presence or absence of ambient light surrounding said apparatus. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 29 wherein said controlled daytime operation mode provides periodic actuation of said powered means only in the presence of ambient light having an intensity 
     
     
        exceeding a predetermined threshold. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34.  Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 29 wherein said controlled nighttime operation mode provides periodic actuation of said powered means only in the presence of ambient light having an intensity less than a predetermined threshold. .Iaddend.